Patrolman Marc L’Italien and two other police officers originally responded to a home on Turning Mill Lane in Randolph for a reported house fire.

(Photo Credit: Renan Barreto)

The officers entered the house around midnight to make sure everyone got out. According to police, 54-year-old Raphael Theophile was hiding inside when he splashed L’Italien with a container of gasoline.

“He was very lucky that it didn’t hit his face area, just his uniform,” said Lt. Charles Thistle of the Randolph Police Department. “All he did was go home, change his uniform, and come back.”

L’Italien was not injured.

Theophile’s wife and children were home at the time and were able to escape the flames. In all, 13 people lived at the duplex house.

Theophile, who was allegedly carrying two large kitchen knives when he was arrested, is charged with arson and assault on a police officer.

(Photo Credit: Kim Tunnicliffe/WBZ NewsRadio 1030)

“(Theophile) mentally has a problem. (His wife) told me many times that she tried to bring him to the hospital, but they don’t think it’s very serious,” said Rodney Romulus, a fried of the family.